Which document abolished slavery in the United States?

The Emancipation Proclamation is the document that officially abolished slavery in the United States. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, it declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it was a pivotal step towards the abolition of slavery and paved the way for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery.

The other documents mentioned serve different purposes in American history. The Bill of Rights primarily focuses on protecting individual liberties and was ratified to guarantee certain rights to citizens. The Declaration of Independence articulates the colonies’ reasons for seeking independence from British rule and emphasizes the principle of equality, but it does not address slavery directly. The Constitution, while providing the framework of the government, included clauses that allowed for the continuation of slavery until the 13th Amendment was ratified.

The Emancipation Proclamation stands out as a significant executive order aimed at ending enslavement and signifies a turning point in American history regarding civil rights and the fight for freedom.